The Winding Path

Rating: T+
Summary: Healing from any condition never takes a straight path.
Disclaimer: All cannon characters are owned by the Great Flanneled One, and now Disney. All others are mine. I make no money off this.
Note: This is a sequel to Consequences
Timeline: 39BBY

Speech: " "
Training Bond communications: /
Internal thoughts: italics

Chapter Eleven

It was late in the afternoon when Obi-Wan pushed his way through the foliage and towards the climbing wall. The same wall that most padawans attempted to vanquish before they were sent out into the field with their master. Right now it looked wet, at least from his vantage point, and maybe it was.

"There you are," Siri's voice came from just behind him.

Obi-Wan glanced over to her, and then back to the top of the climbing wall. It had been some time since he had been here. The moment he made it to the top he didn't consider it much of a challenge anymore, even with the rocks looking slippery.

"Race you to the top."

Looking over to her again, he saw the glint of competition in her eyes. At first he wanted to roll his eyes, but didn't. He was an adult and knew he needed to act like one. "I don't think so. Plus it looks wet." Obi-Wan took a step nearer and reached out to touch the rocks. Pulling his hand away he rubbed his fingers together. "It's wet."

If he didn't roll his eyes, Siri did. "So what. I've done this before." She looked up to the top and then back down to her now flexing hands. "You're just jealous."

"Are you really sure about this. I really don't think you climbing it right now is a good idea." He had a bad feeling about what was going to happen.

Siri brushed it off as she approached the wall and then began climbing, without any safety harnesses.

"Siri, what you're doing is dangerous. You need to—"

"Don't worry, Obi-Wan," she called back over her shoulder. "I know what I'm doing. Plus I can use the Force to help me get to the top."

He had to admit that it was interesting seeing her gather herself, and obviously the Force, then leap over what looked like the wettest rocks.

He felt a flair of warning. "Siri, don't," Obi-Wan called out as he raised up a hand as if to hold her in place, but nothing happened. She tried to lean into the rocks to grab hold, but she wasn't close enough. Her arms pinwheeled as she realized that she wasn't going to make it then fell and crashed into Obi-Wan with a mixture between a shriek and groan.

Footsteps came running and just before the first one arrived Obi-Wan knew it was Bant. He rolled over onto his side and tried to sit up. He felt a stab of pain in his chest, but managed to sit up all the way. "Siri," he reached over to her but hesitated at the last minute. Even though he didn't touch her, he knew she was alive. One leg, though was bent at an odd angle.

"Obi…Siri," Bant gasped as she skidded to a halt and knelt down beside them.

"I think her leg is broken." Obi-Wan sniffed then rubbed his nose with the back of his hand before taking a deep breath.

"Is everyone okay?" Bant's master, Kit Fisto appeared through the underbrush. Even though his eyes were completely black, his worry was obvious.

"I think I am," Obi-Wan got onto his knees and then on his feet with the help from Kit. He turned back to Bant, who now had her hand hoovering over Siri's leg.

"No, I'm not," the younger padawan hissed through clenched teeth.

The foliage rustled again, and this time Master Adi Gallia appeared. "Padawan," she knelt down and then put her arm around Siri and helped her to her feet making Bant lean back.

"Master Adi," Kit began, "I think it would be best if we carried her to the Healer's Ward."

Adi nodded and let Kit sweep her into his arms and the four left the area. Obi-Wan took a tentative step, and then another making sure that everything was all right because it was a hard landing.

By the time he made it to the Healer's Ward his foot had begun throbbing, and his chest hurt once more. Nela came around the corner and stopped while folding her arms. "I really didn't want to see you here again so soon."

Obi-Wan took a limping step towards her, "I got here as fast as I could. I…I broke Siri's fall."

The Pantoran took several steps towards him and then helped him into an empty room with a bed. "What happened?" she asked as she helped him up and then ran her hand over the foot he was limping on.

"Siri…," he let out a hiss when she found the spot that hurt the most, "tried to climb the rock wall." He leaned back and watched as she removed his boot and then sock before taking a closer look at his heel. It didn't look hurt, but sure felt like it was. "I knew it would be bad if she attempted it."

Nela wrapped her hand around his heel. "Did you try and stop her?" She paused, "There it is."

"No, but I did warn her." He winced as she began massaging the muscles. "What do you mean by 'there it is'?"

The moment she let go of his foot, the pain dulled. Obi-Wan let his head flop back on the bed. His foot still hurt, but not like before.

Taking a step back Nela handed him his sock. "Several of your foot bones have been bruised. I'm surprised it happened because of how sturdy our boots are. Now," she paused, "I'll wrap your foot to help it heal. Just be careful while walking around."

"So no soft cast?" Obi-Wan gave her a hopeful look. He had been in the ward far too often the past year.

"Not unless you do something stupid enough that would break one of the bones."

"Like climb a wall that was obviously wet?" Obi-Wan grinned.

"Yes, just like that. I expect Siri to have some immature days, but not you." Nela shook her head, "I can't believe that you're an adult. I've watched over you ever since you arrived here at the Temple."

This time he looked a bit sheepish. "Um…I haven't told Master Qui-Gon yet."

"And you've been here enough to know that he was contacted the moment you limped into the ward." She turned to the door, "Stay here. There are a few things I need to get for you foot." And with that she slipped out of the room leaving Obi-Wan to his thoughts.

Sitting up allowed Obi-Wan to put his face in his hands. With a sigh, he rubbed his face then leaned back so he was laying once again on the table.

"It's not your fault, Padawan," Qui-Gon's voice came from the door.

At least to his credit Obi-Wan didn't jump. "It doesn't matter, Master. I still feel that I should have done something. I told her the rocks were wet and slippery."

"And yet," Qui-Gon entered the room then moved over to the chair so he could sit down. "She still attempted to climb the wall."

Sitting up again, Obi-Wan looked around the room, then leaned back, letting his hands and arms brace his position. "I do admit she was doing fine, that was until she tried a Force jump over the some of the rocks. She miscalculated and I broke her fall." In more ways than one. "Like I mentioned before, I couldn't help, although I tried. If only I was able to reach out to the Force, then she wouldn't be in here with a broken leg."

Qui-Gon folded his arms. "Your abilities to touch the Force cannot be forced. You have to let it flow through you."

Obi-Wan was about to give some snarky comeback, but stopped. A minute later Nela came back into the room. "Oh good, Master Qui-Gon. I'm glad you're here."

He gave her a nod then turned his attention back to Obi-Wan as he raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Healer?"

Nela unrolled the wrappings as she approached the exam table. "There's been some bone bruising, but that's about it." She glanced over to him, "And I know you want him out of here as soon as possible. I know I feel the same way in that Obi-Wan," Nela looked over to her patient, "has been spending far to much of his time here lately."

Obi-Wan let out a snort as Qui-Gon answered, "Very true."

Once Nela was finished she handed him both his sock and boot. The wrapping made his foot too thick to both fit through the leather material of the boot. For now he would have to walk, more like limp around with a wrapped up foot. If it's not one thing, it's another, Obi-Wan bemoaned.

Qui-Gon stood. "I will expect you back in the apartment shortly."

Now carrying his rolled up sock and boot, Obi-Wan never realized just how cold the floors were. The problem was his sock wasn't big enough to cover his own wrapped up foot. Shrugging off the inconvenience, he went in the direction of Siri's room. He really need to speak with her, especially after the accident. Was he that reckless when he was seventeen? It was then he realized that he had no way to be like that because of the probation he was on. It forced him to grow more mature without being reckless.

Winding his way through the halls he eventually stopped at one door in particular. On the small screen next to it was written Tachi, S. With a wave of his hand, the door opened. Not quite in the middle of the room was the bed along with monitors on either side. Siri lay there with her eyes closed. For a moment he wondered if she was sleeping or not. The leg that was bent in an odd angle was now straight and in a cast, suspended from the bed with a harness.

"I'm awake Obi," Siri's tired voice came from the still form. "And don't say 'I told you so'."

"I wasn't going to." Obi-Wan took a step into the room then set his boot against the lone chair. With rolled up sock still in hand he approached the bed. "I tried to catch you, but couldn't. Ever since the electrocution I haven't been able to reach out and touch the Force." When he reached the side of the bed he thought about sitting down on the edge, but didn't.

"I'm sure you're going to be okay." She stretched then winced.

"I'm not so sure. Master Qui-Gon keeps telling me that my sensitivity will come back, I just have to be patient."

Siri's hand fumbled out and then grasped his and gave it a squeeze. "He's right. And don't worry about it."

For a time he looked down at their intertwined hands, then shook his head. "How long are you going to be here?"

"Not sure. Maybe another week?" She let out a sigh. "I should have listened to your warning, but I wanted to climb to the top."

This time Obi-Wan gave her a smile. "You don't have to prove anything to me, Siri. You will be a strong Jedi."

"Is that something you've seen?"

Obi-Wan shrugged. "Not really. I just know that it'll happen, but not in the way you expect."

He squeezed her hand then backed towards the door. "I'll come by later on, not sure when, but hopefully before you're released." Reaching the chair, he picked up his boot.

"What happened to your foot?"

Obi-Wan turned to look at her, not sure what she meant at first. "You. It's just some deep bruising."

"Be lucky it's not a break. Those are not fun." And with that she lay back down and closed her eyes.

Get well soon, my friend. Obi-Wan turned and finally left her room. With his eyes downcast, and consumed with his thoughts he moved around the object he knew was in his way and then finally exited the ward itself.

Adi Gallia stood in the middle of the corridor then turned to watch the retreating figure. When Obi-Wan rounded the corner she turned back around and continued over to the room her Padawan was currently residing in. It had been difficult seeing her injured as she was, but she also was glad that she had received help as soon as they were able to reach the medical ward.

With the door still open, she stepped inside. "Did Padawan Kenobi come to visit?" she pulled the chair over to the side of the bed that had the fewest computer readouts.

Eventually Siri nodded. "He's bothered by the fact that he still can't reach out to the Force. He tried to help, but said that he couldn't stop me from falling."

"Have no worries, Padawan. He is well on his way to recovery."

Siri pushed herself into more of a sitting position. "Are you sure, Master?"

"Yes, Padawan." Adi smiled. "He will be fine."

TBC...